7 months ago
While some college students are off enjoying their summers, the staff at some Central Georgia colleges are sifting though financial aid applications and appeals.
Suzanne Pittman, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at Georgia College and State University says financial aid requests are up 12 percent for the fall semester, when compared to the same time last year.
Pittman says financial awards are based on tax information from the previous year. She says GCSU has seen three times the normal amount of appeals from families whose financial outlook has changed since that time.
"Families where one and sometimes both parents have been laid off and taken other jobs that pay lesser amounts and in some cases have not found employment at all," she said.
Christina Begeman says without financial aid she wouldn't be albe to take classes at GCSU. The fifth year English major works with the University's communications department. While she earns her paycheck answering phones and writing articles, she says she's also gaining expertise she can put to use after graduation.
"What I like most about what I'm doing is the incredible opportunity to learn from my co-workers," she said, "My writing portfolio has grown exponentially."
Begeman says she's working her way though college with scholarships, loans and her job, and more students in Central Georgia seem to think she's got the right idea.
Brian Dalton with Mercer University says his school has seen an increase in financial aid applications as well. He says Mercer's had a 10 percent increase in the number of incoming first year students asking for aid. That number is 3 percent for all other students.
Wesleyan College says it's seen a 25 percent increase in financial aid application.
Over at Macon State College, Dee Minter, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, say the schoo has seen a 36 percent increase in applications for financial aid among all students. Among new students, there's been a 129 percent increase.
The Georgia Student Finance Commission says across the state it's seen a 19.6 percent increase in applications for state scholarships and grants.
As for Begeman, she's just thankful to have that extra financial support to help her reach her goals.
